Visual Port Indicators for Identifying Recently Removed Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Networking devices with multiple identically appearing ports pose challenges in identifying which port a cable was recently removed from, especially in environments with many ports and potential distractions, leading to confusion during cable replacement.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where visual indicators, such as LEDs, change color or brightness or flash in a specific pattern upon cable removal, allowing easy identification of the port from which the cable was removed, and maintaining this indication for a defined duration to differentiate it from other empty ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple ports have identical physical form factor, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring port status worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes to visual indicators (LEDs) to differentiate port status. When a cable is removed, the LED changes color (e.g., from green to red or yellow) to indicate the specific port from which the cable was removed. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining identical physical port form factors while using color as a visual differentiation mechanism to improve detectability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through blinking or flashing LED patterns to indicate cable removal. The LED may blink at a specific frequency or pattern for a defined duration to draw attention to the affected port. This periodic visual signal enhances port identification without requiring physical differentiation of the ports themselves.
2Measurement precision
If visual indicators are maintained for long duration after cable removal, then identification accuracy is improved, but loss of time for indicator reset worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the visual indicator state temporary and dynamic rather than static. The LED changes to indicate cable removal but automatically returns to its normal state after a predetermined time period. This dynamic approach maintains high identification accuracy during the critical window while automatically resolving the indicator state, balancing identification needs with system responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of the visual indicator by setting a specific duration for which the cable removal indication is displayed. After this predetermined time expires, the indicator automatically resets. This parameter-based control allows the system to maintain accurate identification when needed while minimizing unnecessary indicator persistence that would consume time and resources.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device has a number of ports that have the same physical form factor and that are receptive to cable insertion. The electronic device also has visual indicators corresponding to the ports. Each visual indicator indicates at least link establishment when a cable has been inserted into its corresponding port and a link has been established. When a cable is removed from a port, the electronic device controls its corresponding visual indicator to identify the port as one from which cable removal has recently occurred.